Kirkby Stephen and the Upper Eden Area

An area of mixed terrain and outstanding natural beauty ranging from high fells to low level rural encompassing a wide range of walking possibilities. The surrounding area was recently brought into the Yorkshire Dales National Park (Westmorland Dales) which extends to the west and up to the M6 motorway. The area tends to be less visited than some other locations. Back to Yorkshire Dales Contents Page

The Nine Standards

Contents

Important note:- Whilst the author has taken every care in assembling the information on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for any error or omission herein. If in any doubt walkers should always consult the relevant OS map. All timings are approximate and for a person of average fitness and ability.

Ougthgill Church The Water Cut
Mallerstang Edge Pendragon Castle
Wild Boar Fell from Swarth Fell Mallerstang Edge

Information: Equipment: All walks have significant exposure even in Summer. Full equipment including boots, waterproofs, map and compass would be advisable

Maps: Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 19 - Howgill Fells and the Upper Eden Valley 1:25,000

Travel Information: www.northernrailway.co.uk- Leeds-Settle-Carlisle timetable - National Rail enquiries tel 08457 484950 or http://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Train services (Mon -Sat) - Normal morning departures from Leeds at 0747 or 0919; Shipley 0800 or 0932 arriving at Kirkby Stephen at 0935 or 1106. The usual return trains from Kirkby Stephen toward Leeds are 1714, 1920 and 2108. Allow about 45 minutes to walk to the station from the town centre. Don't miss the last train!

Bus services in the area are few and fragmented, however there are some services which could be utilised with some careful planning

Western Dales Bus - provides another alternative in the locality S4 running from Brough to Sedbergh on a Friday throughout the year and the S5 Kirkby Stephen to Kendal on Thursdays. Western Dales Bus. Other Cumbria bus times can be located through www.cumbria.org

Cumbria Classic Coaches - provides out and back services from Kirkby Stephen to Kendal on Monday, Penrith on Tuesday, Barnard castle on Wednesday. Also they operate a seasonal service to Hawes. www.cumbriaclassiccoaches.co.uk

Kendal College 502 Bus - provides an early morning departure from Brough and Kirkby Stephen to Kendal and late return available to the public

Stagecoach 563 Bus - provides a limited service from Appleby to Penrith (Mon-Fri only)

Kendal College 506 Bus - provides an early morning departure from Appleby to Penrith and Kendal and late return available to the public

The Little White Bus: Little White Bus service provides a daily service [now inc Sundays as the 855] between Garsdale Station and Hawes via Moorcock Inn and will go on to any of the nearby villages by request. The Little White Bus is a 16 or 7 seater and can be hailed from anywhere on route but it might be advisable to phone. The bus connects with the southbound and northbound trains. See current timetable for up to date times. In addition there is a demand responsive service which can be booked by prior arrangement and on Sunday this will extend to outlying villages as far as Leyburn. The service is operated by Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership Tel 01969 667400 or contact the driver mobile on 0752 895 7451 - see the link from www.dalesbus.org.

Weather The weather forecast and current weather conditions (including cloud level) can be obtained from Met Office which gives the forecast and current conditions for the Yorkshire Dales and Metcheck for the nearby Whernside range of hills.

Pubs and cafes

The public houses and hotels in the area include:

In addition there are a number of cafes and tea rooms

  • Church Gallery - Kirkby Stephen centre
  • Mulberry Bush - Kirkby Stephen centre
  • Pink Geranium - Kirkby Stephen centre

The Stainmore Railway - The Stainmore Railway is located on the site of Kirkby Stephen East Station actually closer to the centre of town but closed to passengers services in 1962. At present there is a short running line and a impressive collection of locomotives and carriages including a working steam engine. Working days are usually once a month during the summer but the centre is open most weekends and other days:www.kirkbystepheneast.co.uk

This page was last updated on 21-Jun-2020

Back to top

Settle and Malham Ribblehead Garsdale Station (Upper Wensleydale) Dentdale and Howgills Wensleydale Kirkby Stephen Swaledale Upper Wharfedale Lower Wharfedale Nidderdale Ilkley Moor Washburn Valley

Back to Home Page

©John Carey 2020